receiving line
Wedding guest gauntlet
A receiving line is a row of hosts who stand to greet guests as they arrive at a formal event.
Common at weddings, state dinners, and official receptions, the line typically includes the hosts and honored guests, who shake hands with each arrival: We waited twenty minutes to get through the receiving line.
- waiting roomSpace for anticipating service
- shake handsMutual palm-grip greeting
- bridal partyCeremony's supporting cast
- wedding partyAttendants for bride and groom
- best manGroom's primary attendant
welcome · groomsmen · toasts · banquet · maid of honor · formal wear · usher · wedding traditions · levee · black tie · corsage · guest list · handshake · well-wishers · family friends · event planner · flower girl · procession
- weddingswedding, wedding dress, wedding cake, wedding ceremony, bride
- ceremonieswedding ceremony, wedding, weddings, graduation, graduations
- greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
- mourning customsfuneral, funeral service, wake, visitation, burial
- royal ceremoniescoronation ceremony, crowning, royal procession, state banquet, royal ball
- wedding etiquetteRSVP, seating chart, wedding vows, vows, bridal traditions
receiving lineworking the room
Systematically engaging all attendees
cocktail hour · making the rounds · milling about · meet and greet · open floor
receive, receiving, received, receiver, receivers, receipt, receipts, reception, receptions